Open Says Me....🎸

[Mrbirdog]

Of these four guitars which would open up fastest or the most or both:

Mahogany back Sitka spruce top
Mahogany back Adirondack top
Rosewood back Adirondack top
Rosewood back Sitka spruce top

In of course your opinion
Thanks in advance
Mrbirdog 🎸🎼

[Matt McGriff]

Not Adi. Sitka will open up a lot sooner than adirondack.

[Mrbirdog]

Originally Posted by Matt McGriff

Not Adi. Sitka will open up a lot sooner than adirondack.

Thanks, I have heard that about Adi vs Sitka
What about rosewood versus a hog back
Anybody ???

[guitar george]

What causes wood to "open up"?

Personally, I would never choose a guitar based on whether or how soon I thought it was going to open up.

I think the pattern, style, and wood used in the braces will probably tell you a lot more about the responsiveness of a given top than some generalized opinion about if and when a certain type of wood might change over time.

And as for predicting when the back and sides might open up -- I mean, how would you even be able to tell?

[Mrbirdog]

Originally Posted by Willie Voltaire

Personally, I would never choose a guitar based on whether or how soon I thought it was going to open up.

I think the pattern, style, and wood used in the braces will probably tell you a lot more about the responsiveness of a given top than some generalized opinion about if and when a certain type of wood might change over time.

And as for predicting when the back and sides might open up -- I mean, how would you even be able to tell?

When a guitar opens up, it will sound noticeably better at least that's been my experience some open faster and more than others haven't had that many guitars to really know but that's what I know so far . Was just looking for other opinions from other people that had other guitars...... a lot of others 🎸

[Earl49]

Originally Posted by guitar george

What causes wood to "open up"?

Parroting a reply today on another thread....... a chainsaw opens up wood very quickly.

Guitars that open up with play time and years of age will sound a little better / noticeably better over time. But a not-so-good guitar will never turn into a gem.

[The Growler]

The used one.

[nedray]

That's a crapshoot at best. Get the one that sounds good the day you buy it.

[The Growler]

Originally Posted by nedray

Get the one that sounds good the day you buy it.

This^^^^^^^

Originally Posted by Mrbirdog

When a guitar opens up, it will sound noticeably better at least that's been my experience some open faster and more than others

I get that, but my point is that, regardless of tonewood, there's no guarantee that (a) a guitar will open up in any audible way, (b) you can predict the rate at which it will open up, or (c) that it will be an improvement if/when it does. Therefore, if a more resonant guitar is the goal, I'd look at more predictable factors, like bracing and wood thickness. Or just get a torrified top -- apparently they come pre-opened.

[The Bard Rocks]

Here's how I see it. The subject of "opening up" is one which frequently raises spirited debate. Which means a substantial number of players don't believe in it and the odds are not so good that I will experience or notice this. What I can tell with certainty is how it sounds today. If I like it today, I will like it in the future. And if I don't like it today, I shouldn't buy it.

[mercy]

I buy custom builds so I can only speak from that experience. Guitars do change for the better and thats a good thing because when I 1st get them they dont sound good. I have a Halcyon now that is a year old and its sounding so good. If I could have played this guitar when new I wouldnt have bought it. But the sweet sound its putting out now makes it a different guitar.

[HNS]

Originally Posted by Matt McGriff

Not Adi. Sitka will open up a lot sooner than adirondack.

Yup. Sitka opens up earlier.

[Looburst]

Total crap shoot. As others have said, get the one that sounds the best at the time of purchase and you'll be fine.